Automobile top-deck protector



J. F. HILL AUTOMOBILE TOP ECK PROTECTOR. FILEJMAR. 30. 1922.

Fatented Dec. 19, 1922.

n i a JOHN F. IIILL, OF ROCHESTER, INDIANA.

AUTOMOBILE TOP-DECK PROTECTOR.

Application filed March 30, 1922.

Improvements in Automobile Top-Dock Protectors, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to protectors to be applied to the bows 0 f vehicletops.

An important object of the invention is to provide a protector of theabove mentioned character, whioh may be applied to the top of the bOW,and having a'substantial width, Will project laterally upon oppositesides of the bow, this protector being s0 Constructed that it Will nottend to wear or out through the top or deck of the vehicle top.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the abovementioned character, which is extremely simple in construction, strongand durable.

Other objects and advantages of the in- Vention Will be apparent in thecourse of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and inWhich like numerals are employed t0 designate lilre parts throughout thesame.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the top of the vehicle, having myimprovecl protectors applied to the bows,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a protector, embodying my invention,showing the same in use,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the protector,

Fig. 4.is a transverse section through the protector,

Fig. 5 is an end' elevation of the same, and

Fig. 6 is a transverse section through a slightly modified form of theprotector.

In the dravvings, wherein for the purposo of illustration is shown apreferred embodiment of my invention, the humoral 10 designates the topof the vehicle, suoh as an automobile, the deck 01 top portion 11, beingsupported by boWs 12, as shown. The bows, as is customary, arerelatively narrow, and frequently wear or tear through the fabrio in thetop portion 01 deck 11.

The numeral 13 designates my improved protectors, as a whole, which aremounted upon the top of the bows 12, and are of a suflicient vvidth, toproject laterally beyond the boWs for substantial distances. The pro-Serial No. 548,162.

tector includes a holding member 01' base 1 1, preferably formed oisheet metal, while the saine may be formed of any other suitablematerial. This base is preferably slightly curved in cross section,extending downwardly toward its outer edges. The base 1 1 has its outereclges bent upwardly in the form of flanges 15, which are curved or U-shaped in cross section. These fianges con-' tinue throughout the entirelength of'the edges of the base 14;. The base is tapered at its ends, asclearly shownin Fig. -5. The base is also preferably substantiallystraight throughout its greater portionof its length, but the taperedend portions are curved downwardly, as shovvn. It is obvious that thelongitudinal curvature or shape of the base Will depend entirely uponthe shape of tl11e DOW, upon which the base is to be app le The base 14reoeives and holds an uppei lining 16 of fibrome material, which may befelt, cloth, hair, leather or the like. This lining has its edges heldwithin the curved fianges 15, as shown.

In the application of the protector upon the bow, the padding 17 of thetop is suitably slit, so that the ends of the protector may be insertedthrough this slit into the padding, and rest in close contact upon thebow. The protector is secured to the bow by screws 18 or the like andthese screws preferably have their heads countersunk or flush with theupper surface of the lining 16, so that they cannot injure the topportion or deck 11.

In Fig. 6, is shown, a modification of the protector. In this figure thenumeral 19 designates the base, which is identical with the base 14. Theedges of this base are bent into the flanges 20, curved in crosssection, and identical with the fianges 15. The base 19 receives fibrouslining 21, identical with the lining 16 and the device is held upon thebow 12 by sciews 22 or the like.

In this form of protector, the material of the base 19 is continued atthe edges of the fianges 20, in the form of sides 23, integraltherewith, and these sides have. bottom portions 24, which overlap, andare screwed to the bottom of the bow by screws 25 or the like. Thisconstruction is stronger, and by virtue of the rounded sides 23, it ismore suitable for a top which is to be folded.

In view of the foregoing description, it is obvious that the protectoris secured to the bow between it and the top portion 11 and by virtne ofthe large transverse area of the protector and its fibrous lining, thesame Wiii not injure the top portion 01' deck.

It is to be underscood that the forn1s of my invention herewith shownand described are to be taken as preierred examples of the same, andthat varions changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts, may bere sortd to, withont departing from the spirit of my invention or theseope of the subjoined claims.

Having thns described 1ny invention, I daim:

1. A protect0r tobe arranged upon the bOW o a vehicle top, comprising abaseextending laterally beyond the b0W, said base having its edges bentnpwardly into retaining fianges having overhanging edges, a fibrouslining arranged upon the upper surface of the base and having its edgesheld against vertical displacement by the overhanging edges of theretaining flanges said base being inehned in cross section downwai'diytoward the retaining fianges where by the overhanging edges thereo arepositioned beneath the upper surface of the central portion of thefibrons lining, and attaching elements passing through the fibroustiming and base and anchored within said bow.

2. A protector to be arranged npon the top of the bow of a vehice top,oomprising a base, said base having its material bent at its edges intoretaining fianges, said material being extended downwardIy from thefianges in the form of sides having horizonta1 portions, a fib10nslining arranged upon the base and held by the fianges, means to seeurethe base to the bow, and means to sec-ure the horizontal portions ofsaid sides to the bow.

n testimony whereof I afix my signature.

JOHN F. HILL.

